Q&A Home > S > Spirit of Our Lord Jesus Christ Is there any special reason why God took from Moses’ spirit and gave to those who were going to help him? The spirit means the gifts and influences of the Spirit (Num 27:18; Joel 2:28; John 7:39; 1 Cor 14:12), and by "taking of the Spirit that is upon Moses, and putting the same upon them," is not to be understood that Moses would lose any of his gifts, but that the elders would be endowed with a portion of the same gifts, especially of prophecy (Num 11:25).
Origen compares Moses to a lamp from which seventy others were lighted, without losing any of its brightness. To encourage Moses that God had sufficiently qualified him for the work, which He had given him to do, He tells him about the gifts and grace, which He has given him, He will qualify seventy persons to bear the charge with him. This is also a sign of the unity in the church, the same Spirit given to Moses is given to his helpers. Likewise, we are now in the church "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Eph 4:4-6).
His Holiness Pope Shenouda says that taking of the Spirit that is upon Moses and putting it upon the elders is comparable, in the New Testament, to the Apostles receiving the Holy Spirit and then laying the hands upon others to give them of the same Spirit.
| |